the psychological current are addressed. The factors involved vary from person to person. In some cases the psychoanalytic approach may be valid, while in another, the cognitive one. In others still, the transactional approach may be appropriate, or rather the humanis- tic, bioenergetics, transpersonal, and so on. This is the main reason that led me toward integrative psychotherapy (using concepts and tools belonging to several approaches). Later, I moved move on to creating a holistic integrative psychotherapy model, which not only integrates different approaches, but also changes the worldview in which this integration is done.
This model includes contributions from other disciplines (soci-
ology, medicine, biology) and even from the ancient psychologies of the east (yoga, tantra, Vedanta, Zen, etc.). Unfortunately, there are not many health care professionals who know the great opportuni- ties offered by this kind of approach. Most universities continue to train medical doctors, psychologists, and other health professionals by means that are far from holistic. Only a few small, innovative universities are inspired by the new paradigm. Most of these uni- versities are located in California, with a few exceptions including The Graduate Institute of Connecticut. This university offers interest- ing and innovative certificate and master’s programs in Integrative Health and Healing and Integrative Mental Health. The basic feature of these programs is to consider the human being as such, not as a machine. To do this, one must consider not only the body or the rational mind, but other interrelated dimensions as well, includ- ing: emotional, affective, intuitive, interpersonal, transpersonal and spiritual. In addition to internal dimensions, there are holistically relevant external ones. Relations between the individual and his environment extend the concept of mental health to also including the health of society and the ecosystem (well outlined by a course of The Graduate Institute titled Ecotherapy & Cultural Sustainability).
To conclude, we can say that depression is normally considered
an individual and private pathology. From a holistic point of view, it should be considered a collective disease. Therefore, treatment requires changes not only in individual mental dysfunctions but also in society and ecosystem dysfunctions..
Enrico Cheli, a psychotherapist and sociologist, is professor at the University of Siena (Tuscany), one of the oldest and most qualified Italian universities. Here, he has created and directed several holistic master’s degrees and Ph.D. programs on relational counseling, emo- tional well-being, interpersonal relationship, and conflicts resolution. He is now the academic director of a new certificate program on Integrative Mental Health at The Graduate Institute of Connecticut. He has authored 27 books and more than one hundred articles. For more information visit:
www.learn.edu/enricocheli.
www.NaturalNutmeg.com 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48